The Chevrolet Corvair: Which Models Are the Most Collectible?

The Chevrolet Corvair remains one of America's best car's to collect with over 100,000 still on the road in various states of condition. Chevrolet made over 1.5 million of them from 1960-69. The Corvair was America's answer to the German VW and, in fact, was modeled after the Porsche engine and German engineers were hired to help with its production in 1959. The car did have its teething issues from 1960-64, all repaired for the totally restyled sporty look from 1965-69. Yet, its values and design were revolutionary for an American car and even today looks "current".

Getting into classic cars is easy for the Corvair, just visit Ebay or Craigslist and enter Corvair in the search engine. The trick is finding one that, for the money spent, is good value and one that has high resell. A good place to start is the production numbers. For the early models, from 1960-64, the following are the rarest:

The Corvair 500 and 700 series were the cheapest to buy and have production values of less than 20,000 from 60-64. The Monza Coupe was highest, as almost 500,000 were produced between 60-64. Most had engines with 95-110 hp. The early years also produced Corvair station wagons, trucks, and vans, so those might be worth collecting also.

The Corsa was the top of the line Corvair and always had a 140hp or 180 hp engine. It was only made in 65 and 66. Any Corsa with a 180hp motor is hard to find as only 9100 were made for the combined years. The Monza Coupe was the most produce in 65-66, with 112,000 made. It dramatically dropped to 9700 in 1967 and 6800 in 1968. Only 40,000 convertibles were made from 65-69.

All of the late model Corvairs, whether a 500, Sedan (4-door) or Monzas had a 110 hp motor unless the buyer wanted a 140 hp.

Of course, what you buy the car for should be considered, its condition, amount of work it needs and their costs, need to be considered. But, from a production viewpoint, the above should be looked for.

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Donda 11 months ago

I have a 1963 Monza 900 Turbo Spider Convertible. I heard it was rare. Any chance you know how many of these were made?

gojoe283 14 months ago

The Late model 4 door hardtop isn't mentioned, but may consider it to be the best looking body style of the late Corvairs. It was the only 4 door hardtop sold in the compact car field, and was available as a bucket-seat Monza. Many were equipped with the optional factory air conditioner, and few survive today.

Author

perrya 22 months ago

Just 2, really?

Parker 22 months ago

There were only 2 Corvair Convertibles with air conditioning produced in 1969.

Author

perrya 2 years ago

well, I had a 66, sweet car, but synchronizing the four carbs tested my patience, despite the low tech method, you still had to be precise! You can find a fixerupper for $4-4500. By fixer upper, I mean minor stuff, nothing major!

Spencer 2 years ago

How about a 1965 corvair corsa 2 door hardtop 140hp car??

Author

perrya 2 years ago

@Rick, what is the condition and how much?

Rick 2 years ago

Have a 69 Convertible for sale.

rickreg2@aol.com

Harley Lantz 3 years ago

To me the Corvair was the most beautiful car ever made. I have a 1965 500. There's not enough gold in Fort Knox KY to take it off my hands.

Rob Bewley 3 years ago

Wanted 1969 Monza convert able,1968 Monza convert able, 1966 Corsa convt.w/180hp turbo 4spd and 1964 van with after market pop top camper!!!! My parents were founding members of the San Jose Valley chapter Corvair Club and I grew up with all the rarest corvairs in my back yard!! Possible trade for 1952 f-1 w/239 V-8 A/T C-4 Aluminum heads+intake and 2 Dueces!! Front disc brakes, billet column and wheel!! Lots of chrome!! If interested shoot me a friend request on Facebook!! No junk please!!!

Author

perrya 5 years ago

The fitch corvairs are probably worth around $10K if they are in good condition, maybe more. the market varies. I sold my 66 corsa vert. for $7500, with a fairly new engine. It did need a paint job. otherwise, good shape. The guy who bought redid the whole car and now its worth an easy $12K. My 67 htop, stick, could sell for around $5K, it has only 56K miles on it. Runs great.

Matt, actually, Chevy went to Germany in 57 to learn about the porsche engine, Ed cole leading the way. In fact, they loosely used the layout and bought many manufacturing processes and machines and shipped them over. They hired some German engineers to train the Americans. It may be a myth to you, but is a given fact.

Matt 6 years ago

Nice article about the Corvair. It really is a deal when it comes to collector cars. There are some minor details that are off a little bit though. Chevrolet did not have German engineers helping them, that is a common myth associated with the engine. It was all Ed Cole and his team. Regarding the production numbers, there were almost 1.8 million produced including trucks. If you include trucks, the rarest model was actually the '62 Loadside pickup with only 369 produced that year. Also, the 95hp engine was the base model up to the end of production and is probably the most abundant engine. The 110 and 140hp engines are harder to find, especially the 140hp, not counting the rare 180hp turbo engines. I hope this helps clear up some of the myths. Thanks again for the great article and enthusiasm for such a great car!

Author

perrya 6 years ago

Jim,

really depends on condition-a daily driver in fair to good condition, needs nothings, but not perfect anywhere from $4500-7000, miles is important also. If show quality or near that, $8-12K. Again, the economy also drives the price and how quickly you need to sell.